Preview: Rainbow Kitten Surprise at 9:30 Club
Photo courtesy of the Oklahoma Gazette.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise is not a band you will soon forget, but the colorful name is only the beginning of the bizarre majesty that is this five-piece group. Hailing from the mountains of Boone, North Carolina, the group has emerged victorious from the often overcrowded indie/alternative space with a sound that flows freely about on the genre spectrum.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise had a whirlwind of a 2018. Their album “How to: Friend, Love, Freefall” caught the attention of fans and critics alike after its release in early April. Since the release, Rainbow Kitten Surprise has enjoyed praise from the likes of NPR, Billboard and TIME.
One of the singles from the album, “Hide,” received particular attention for its music video, which VICE called “the most moving music video of the year.” The video gives an intimate look into the lives of four drag queens from New Orleans as they face the challenges of both hiding and sharing their drag lives with their loved ones. The song itself is about love and self-acceptance inspired by frontman Sam Melo’s own journey of coming out.
It is hard to pin down exactly what makes Rainbow Kitten Surprise so appealing to the senses. The unexpected composition of singsong melodies, snappy rap verses and sublime harmonies are enough to make a music lover’s heart soar. Combine these elements with candidly introspective lyrics, a dance-driven beat that doesn’t quit and Melo’s enchanting vocal performance on each song to create one of the best artistic offerings from the music industry today.
With tunes that are equal parts punchy and sultry, spanning various topics such as the ups and downs of love (see “First Class”) and hypocrisy in American values (see “Holy War”), concert attendees can expect a high-energy show with a side of emotional whiplash.
Rainbow Kitten Surprise brings this party to the 9:30 Club for a double-header: Monday, January 28th and Tuesday, January 29th. Better yet, D.C. is the first city to experience this tour with Mt. Joy as the supporting act.
Mt. Joy is a soulful, folk-rock, five-piece band that is finally gaining the recognition it deserves. Their debut, self-titled album dropped in March 2018 with the feel-good single “Silver Lining.”
If you are lucky enough to catch Rainbow Kitten Surprise and Mt. Joy in the same building, don’t take it for granted. These two nights with both of these engaging bands are sure to round out the first month of shows in 2019 with a memorable twist.